In The Beginning…
Since the mid-1990s, online casinos have always aimed to provide secure and convenient payment methods. Back then, these primarily included electronic options like bank wire transfers and credit cards. Even the concept of e-wallets didn’t gain widespread use until the early 2000s with platforms like PayPal (originally “Confinity”) and Alipay (popular across Asia).
Whether using credit or debit cards, bank transfers, or e-wallets, these point-of-sale (POS) systems offered a simple and convenient way for online casino players to access their favorite games. With the arrival of smartphones, these payment options became even more streamlined through dedicated apps. Despite this progress, four major issues persisted:
KYC (Know Your Customer) involves verifying your identity, address, and using statistics to compare you.
- KYC is required for cashing out your winnings in centralized crypto casinos if you use fiat currencies like USD, EUR, or others. This can be time-consuming and problematic for some users, and the main issue is that you don’t receive your winnings instantly.
- Credit cards, bank transfers, and e-wallets often come with xercên giran ji bo danûstandinan.
- Diziya nasnameyê û ji loss of personal data were becoming (and still are) widespread concerns.
- Transactions are not anonymous, meaning governments, partners, and authorities can track your casino activity.
How could online casinos address these challenges while still providing efficient payment methods and customer trust? While antivirus software and SSL encryption played key roles, it wasn’t until cryptocurrencies emerged that the industry saw significant improvements. This brings us to the next section, where we explore the most common type of online casino today – the “real money casino,” where you can deposit using fiat currencies such as USD, EUR, GBP, CAD, and more – or a centralized site.
Real Money & Centralized Crypto Casinos
These types of casinos represent the majority of new sites reviewed on CryptoChipy. Both centralized and real money casinos often have geographic restrictions, limited payment options depending on the jurisdiction, and licenses from places like Curacao or Malta (or tougher ones like the UK and the US).
While some anonymous sites might have licenses, the situation is somewhat murky, and what qualifies as “anonymous” can vary depending on the criteria. Moreover, fiat-only casinos are still prevalent and will remain so for the foreseeable future. Regulatory bodies like the MGA in Malta and the UKGC in the United Kingdom have been reluctant to engage with crypto casinos, although the upcoming MiCA regulation could change this.
Fortunately, there are trusted centralized casinos licensed in Curacao, such as the well-established Bitstarz, which is about to celebrate its 10th anniversary, and the excellent House of Spins, which offers a wide selection of games. These casinos accept either fiat currencies like EUR, CAD, or USD or cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, or LTC.
Centralized crypto casinos are the most common platforms, but they’re also the most criticized. The main issue is that the casino operator controls everything, including payment methods. This means they can impose fees and commissions, and they face different reporting obligations compared to anonymous casinos. It’s important to note that these often come in addition to fees charged by third-party banks, credit cards, or e-wallets. Bexşîş: If you’re using crypto on a centralized site, regulation is currently less strict.
That’s one reason why we prefer wallet-to-wallet casinos, as they tend to charge fewer and lower fees for transactions.
Main pros: Centralized and real money casinos are regulated, which means if you face any issues, you can file complaints. Main cons: You’ll need to complete KYC if you win. Your winnings will likely be reported to your local tax authorities. Malpera çêtirîn: Our top pick is Bitstarz (see review), a reputable casino with a decade of service. They were one of the first to accept crypto deposits and are licensed in Curacao. New customers can get up to 5 Bitcoin in welcome bonuses, plus 180 free spins.
Behind the Mask: Anonymous Casinos
Imagine an anonymous casino as a step up from traditional crypto casinos. While the term “traditional” feels odd when referring to Bitcoin or crypto casinos, that’s how rapidly the industry is evolving. So, what distinguishes this newer type of operator? The key aspect is the lack of KYC verification requirements.
KYC (Know Your Client) verification is a common procedure at centralized casinos, while genuine anonymous casinos never ask for it. Players at centralized casinos are asked to provide various personal details to verify their identity, including:
- Belgeya hatinê.
- Verêra navnîşanê.
- Proertbûna nasnameyê.
- Face verification.
- Proof of mobile number.
- Data comparison or statistics about you.
While this may sound straightforward, many users encounter issues during the KYC process, such as delays in customer service or complications with document uploads. For example, if you own an older phone with a poor camera, scanning documents could be problematic. Additionally, “false positives” (rejected documents) may lead to extended delays, similar to errors in automated captcha systems.
While KYC is an important tool for preventing identity theft and money laundering, it can often become a lengthy and frustrating process. This is why many players prefer anonymous crypto casinos that don’t require KYC. These sites, such as the well-regarded LTC Casino, allow players to start playing immediately and withdraw winnings quickly, with no need to provide personal identity documents.
A Liberating New Path
Anonymous casinos eliminate these obstacles. Players don’t need to go through the KYC process when registering or making transactions. These casinos are truly anonymous, often requiring only an email address and a password for registration.
- No KYC process ever.
- Fee-free deposits and withdrawals (in most cases).
- Flexible crypto payment options.
- Nearly instant transactions with no waiting time.
- No regional restrictions.
- Support for VPN usage.
Anonymous casinos share several features with decentralized operators. However, the main distinction is that you’ll never have to reveal your personal identity.
Bexşîş: The top-rated anonymous casino is LTC Casino (review), which allows users to remain truly anonymous while enjoying a wide range of crypto deposit options. They never require any KYC information, not even a phone number. All you need is an email and password, making registration quick and simple.
Decentralized Casinos: The Next Step Forward?
Decentralized casinos represent an evolution of anonymous casinos (think of them as “anonymous 2.0”). What sets them apart? A few key features stand out.
Some articles suggest that decentralization can reduce the house edge, but here we’ll focus on the role of blockchain technology for clarity. In decentralized casinos, the central control or governing body is eliminated, as blockchain technology takes the lead.
Decentralized casinos operate through smart contracts embedded in the blockchain, removing the casino itself from the transaction process. This means deposits and withdrawals are completed faster, sometimes within minutes. In comparison
, traditional centralized casinos can take days for transactions to clear, making the speed of decentralized casinos a significant advantage.
A Tale of Transparency
Transparency is another major advantage of decentralized casinos. Traditional casinos keep their records locked away behind closed doors, and players have to trust the operator’s integrity. In contrast, decentralized casinos store all their ledgers on the blockchain, where the information can’t be erased. This guarantees that players won’t face sudden fees or unexplained delays, and the games are provably fair.
There are plenty of decentralized casinos to explore, and we’ve reviewed several of them. You can check out details such as which cryptocurrencies they accept, the variety of games they offer, and the quality of their customer support. Here are some recommendations:
- Bitkong Casino
- StarBets Casino
- Lîstika BC
Wekheviyên Key
Both anonymous and decentralized casinos share similarities, such as minimal or no KYC requirements. Crypto is the primary payment method in both, often excluding fiat entirely. Transactions are typically fast, with funds moving directly between wallets without intermediaries.
Anonymous Casinos vs. Decentralized Casinos: Key Differences
In decentralized casinos, you often use crypto wallets for registration.